Riddiford Racing and Engineering have announced they will be offering riders of the Wightlink Warriors speedway team support in the 2016 season.
RRE was started in the ’70s by Dick Johnson who combined his sub-contact machining business with a grasstrack sales van. He was a familiar figure in the Southern Centre during the late 70s and 80s both selling and riding alongside his son, Richard. By the time Richard joined the company they had returned to just sub-contact machining and spent several years building up the business, investing in the latest CNC machinery and working for various industries. It wasn’t until Richard’s son Chris, started to ride Speedway that the idea of making their own parts stated to take off.
The RRE connection to the Isle of Wight goes back to when Chris was asked by Dave Pavitt to come along and have a spin on his 125cc Honda at the age of 12. Chris then went on to become the Wightlink Islanders team mascot and then made his Premier League debut for the Islanders aged just 16. He rode for them for several years until a horrific accident at King’s Lynn left him with severe injuries to his left leg and pelvis. He did make a successful return after a year out but after another nasty crash that year Chris decided to retire from racing and rent a part of the RRE factory to start his now highly successful company D-Star Racewear. Even when Chris retired, Richard still kept involved as a mechanic for several other Island riders until just before the track closed.
RRE has always had a team of sponsored riders who help out with product testing. Top riders such as World Longtrack Champion Jannick De Jong and Danish International Hans Andersen have their backing, but they also have a strong desire to help a lot of young British talent too. They have now offered to back the Isle of Wight team for the 2016 season.
Richard Johnson said:
“Once we saw that speedway was coming back to the Island, we wanted to be involved. We are very close to the Island in both distance and in our past connections, so we are excited to be a part of it.”
Commercial Director of the Warriors, Barry Bishop said:
“Martin and I are delighted that RRE has decided to re-establish its links with the Isle of Wight and come on board with the Warrior riders in 2016. It’s great that Richard and Martin found a way forward to work together so quickly.
Article continues below this advertisement “Richard has a long association with speedway on the Island and has often supported the club and riders. RRE are known throughout speedway for their products and we are very happy to welcome them to the Warriors.”
More details about RRE can be found at www.rre.co.uk.
